Tectonic forces acting on the area around the Golden Gate created a complex variety of rocks. Serpentine forms the bedrock under the anchorage and South Tower. The bedrock at the north side of the Gate is chert, made up of the fossilized skeletal remains of billions of radiolarian protozoa. The difference in bedrock required foundation designs to be customized each foundation location’s properties, including load testing prior to construction.

STATUS: Because this is to be mounted at the base of the 1:80 scale Bridge model, it too is on hold pending the cut-through of the proposed Battery exhibit area.

This exhibit is currently on hold.

Funding for the project has been provided by the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, National Science Foundation. Dr. Al DeSena is the NSF project officer for this award. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

All images are the property of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District and cannot be re-used without its permission. Contact Mary Currie, Public Affairs Director, mcurrie@goldengate.org